Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-06-18
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP.
Careless People who Realize that
there In q Lien Law.
TEE WORK ON THE MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE ExrEN-
SION sroPPEp-sMALL HOUSES AND LARGE HOUSES
As NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ALONG THE NET
RoPoLITAN BRANCH.

RoPoLITAN BRANCH.
In talking with architects, builders. material
men, and others interested in the building bust
ness, a STAR man has heard a great deal lately
about the lien law. The architects sneak OF
instances when through the dishonesty OF the con-
tractor or some sub-contractor, their clients have
been compelled to pay twice for the same
material On the other hand the men
who furnish the supplies say that they have been
obliged recently TO file more liens than usual
and they think that the effect is not good From
the fact that this subject seems uppermost IL
might be concluded that for some reason or other
this particular law Is causing more friction than
usual In order TO ascertain II this was the case
STAR reporter talked with one OF the leading
dealers In building supplies in this city.
Yes" he said, In response TO a question, 81 have
filed good many leins recently, more than have
been accustomed 10. 1 don't like IL, either.
would much prefer TO collect my bills in some
other way. II Is important for all concerned, and
II possible always try TO adjust differences before
reSorting to the law. For a while after this new
lien law was passed by Congress people were very
particular and gave their personal attention TO
building. I had very few bad debts and was able
TO sell cheaper than before. But now there seems
TO be growing carelessness. Menerect buildings
and enter upon contracts without inauiring as TO
the responsibility OF the men they employ. They
make no inquiry as TO whether these men are pay
Ing their bills, and II is seldom that /
am asked 10 furnish receipts TO the ownerS
This lien law was passed In july 1884, and for
SOIne Time aIter mat people building always
required nnal receipts from all the material men
before they would make their final payment on the
building They have given that up. TO a large
extent. In consequence contractors who are
inclined to be dishonest are enabled 10 have full
swing, and after the owner has paid his contractor
the Tull amount he finds that there is bill for
material All this could be avoided by q little
care.
al don't think" he went on. shat material men
give credit to persons, relying upon coming back
On the building for the money. Some men may do
that kind OF thing, and thus pave the way for a
certain class OF men TO take contracts who other
wise would have no show at all. A man without
money and credit can't compete In bidding with
men who have both; but II material men are will
Ing TO give him the material and depend upon get
less reliable set OF contractors come into
the field. But, as / have said, the mate
r, RAJ !, men, as rule, won't do business
that VIII, and that, no doubt Is one cause OF the
trouble. II is a great temptation to a man TO ac-
cept bid that Is 81. OOO or even $500. below the
other bidders, but In such case he should protect
himself 10y aScertaining whether the contractor Is
using the money which he pays him In legitimate
way. There Is no difficulty about the lien law IL
people are not Careless, but, OF course, people are
careless, and In consequence the lien law just now
Is rather unpopular. good many people are get
ting bit, and certain class OF contractors are
doing WELL
The views OF an architect on this subject were
published week or so ago In The STAR, and his
remarks may be regarded as a sample Of what they
all say. Some OF them GO SO far 10 say that the
law protects the material men even when the ma
Cei1al SOu Is not SEQ Ia The mouse Ilencl Dut Is
sold TO the contractor who built the house. In
this way they say that the owner Is obliged TO pay
for material which has not been used In the build
Ing. They say that the law only protects dishon-
eSIy, and does not accomplish what was sought
namely, the protection or the mechanics, Tor the
reason that they are sure TO be paid, whether any
one else Is or not
AS is well known, a lien law was In operation In
this District prior to the passage OF the present
law. the main object or which was TO extend the
protection OF the lien to the workingmen. SO
that II the contractor failed TO pay his men, even
the labOrers, they would all have the right TO
place liens upon the building for the amount OF
the wages due.
In order TO ascertain II there had been an In
crease In the number OF liens filed, STAR reporter
court where all liens are recorded. 1t was
found that from July %, 1876, up to the
time OF the passage OF the new law, which went
into operation July =, 1854, there had been 391
liens filed. From the date OF the passage OF the
new law down TO the present time the liens re-
the following is the number OF liens recorded each
month: 4 in June, 10 in May, q In April, IL in
cember, IL in No emoer "a in october, "a In Sep
TENDER, IA In August, and 10 In July.
ALONG THE METROPOLITAN BRANCH
The subdivision OF suburban property goes on, and
nearly every week there is a new plat to record.
This week the new subdivision is out along the
METROPOLITAN Branch near Forest Glen. j. X.
Hartford, representing syndicate, has purchased
l64 acres adjoining the subdivision OF l23 acres
made by A. S. Pratt q Sons. These two subdivis-
Forest Glen. Mr.. HEREFORD and those associated
with him are laying out this ground into building
sites, and Will probably make the subdivision con.
form as far as the roads, at least, are concerned
with that OF the Pratt subdivision, which lies be-
tween it and the railroad. Along the same road,
but nearer the city, b. F. leighton ana others,
VINO purchased 134 acres at Brooks Station, are
having the ground Subdtvtded, and they propose
to start village there.
The new hotel at Forrest Glen has opened under
n
gagged the managers feel that the enterprise is a
success 1t Is favorite point for short excursions
from the city, and small parties frequently so out
on the afternoon train, take dinner and return on
the evening train.
1t is highly probable that q large hotel will be
erected at Takoma Park. The enterprise has so
far taken shape that a stock company has been
formed for the purpose, and there is some talk OF
starting the work or building this summer.
SOME OF THE RECENT SUBURBAN SUBDIVISIONS.
A STAR reporter, In talking with Mr.. Hermann
Viele, the civil engineer who has laid out great
many OF the recent suburban subdivisions, asked
him how many acres he had subdiv1ded In the past
year.
have Subdiv1ded between i, 100 and 200 acres.
Now, let US see IL these figures are accurate
first began with the land along Massachusetts,
avenue extended, from Rock Greek TO the Tenley-
town road, which is controlled by what is known
as the Thompson syndicate. There are 32o acres
In this subdivision. Then on the west side OF the
TenleytOwn road are the l01 acres which SUBJ
divided for the Bateman syndicate. Farther
along the road, and extending east to klingle
FordS are the 230 acres which are owned by what
Is known as the Richmond syndicate. Then there
Is the subdivision or Bureth, with the recent adj
ditions, comprising altogether some 164 acres
Then there Is BelaIr Heights, containing 40 acres
kalOrama 80 acres and Clif1bOurne Is acres. In
the vicinity OF the latter Is a tract or acres
which subdivided for Mr.. George Truesdell, and
another tract OF 5 acres adjoining. In the Lay
farm, on the 9TH street road, which 1 am SUBJ
dividing for Senator Cameron, there are 10 acres.
'Now," he continued, 'if you add up these
figures l think that you will nnd the total to be
LII acres"
SMALL HOUSES AND LARGE HOUSES.
There has been recently good deal OF money
invested in this city, mainly by non-residents, In
what are known as small houses. Land has been
blocks and rows OF small houses have been erected
or are now in progress OF erection. These houses
rent from $25 20 $35 dollars per month, according
to their distance from the business center OF the
city, and as u rule there is always good demand
for them. This class OF property Is said by those
who are competent to judge, to yield a good re-
turn upon the money invested. IL Is rather
singular that small cheap houses and large costly
houses which are eXpenS1vely furnished should be
clasSed as the best paying Investments But this
brokers, thus uniting the two extremes In the
scale OF values A real-estate broker OF experience
told STAR reporter recently that this latter class
or houses offered the best real-eState investment
that he knew. large amount OF capital is re-
Quired, but the rents obtained pay handsomely on
the Investment There are such number OF
people or means who want TO rent houses here for
year. longer, that desirable houses can be read
fly rented. The rents vary from So 600 TO $500,
and in addition the tenant must make good every
wear and tear. gentleman recently refused
600 for his house because he found that he